(1979) Dire Straits Remix Retro Rock ~ Rockpalast TV Shows Music Melody Mashup ~ Subscribe! Sign-up.

Dire Straits ~ British rock band formed in London in 1977 by Mark Knopfler (lead vocals and lead guitar), David Knopfler (rhythm guitar and backing vocals), John Illsley (bass guitar and backing vocals) and Pick Withers (drums and percussion). They were active from 1977 to 1988 and again from 1990 to 1995. Their first single, “Sultans of Swing“, from their 1978 self-titled debut album, reached the top ten in the UK and US charts. It was followed by hit singles including “Romeo and Juliet“ (1981), “Private Investigations“ (1982), “Twisting by the Pool“ (1983), “Money for Nothing“ (1985), and “Walk of Life“ (1985). Their most commercially successful album, Brothers in Arms (1985), has sold more than 30 million copies; it was the first album to sell a million copies on compact disc and is the eighth-best-selling album in UK history. According to the Guinness Book of British Hit Albums, Dire Straits have spent over 1,100 weeks on the United Kingdom albums chart, the fifth most of all time. Dire Straits’ sound draws from various influences, including country, folk, the blues rock of J.J. Cale, and jazz. Their stripped-down sound contrasted with punk rock and demonstrated a roots rock influence that emerged from pub rock. There were several changes in personnel, with Mark Knopfler and Illsley being the only members who lasted from the beginning of the band’s existence to the end. After their first breakup in 1988, Knopfler told Rolling Stone: “A lot of press reports were saying we were the biggest band in the world. There’s not an accent then on the music, there’s an accent on popularity. I needed a rest.“ They disbanded for good in 1995, after which Knopfler launched a solo career full-time. He has since declined numerous reunion offers. Dire Straits were called “the biggest British rock band of the 80s“ by Classic Rock magazine; their 1985–1986 world tour, which included a performance at Live Aid in July 1985, set a record in Australasia. Their final world tour from 1991 to 1992 sold 7.1 million tickets. Dire Straits won four Grammy Awards, three Brit Awards (Best British Group twice), two MTV Video Music Awards, and various other awards. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. Dire Straits have sold between 100 and 120 million units worldwide, including 51.4 million certified units, making them one of the best-selling music artists. Brothers Mark and David Knopfler, from Newcastle in the northeast of England, and friends John Illsley and Pick Withers, from Leicester in the East Midlands, formed Dire Straits in London in 1977. Withers was already a 10-year music business veteran, having been a session drummer for Dave Edmunds, Gerry Rafferty, Magna Carta and others through the 1970s; he was part of the group Spring, which recorded an album for RCA in 1971. At the time of the band’s formation, Mark was working as an English teacher, Illsley was studying at Goldsmiths’ College and David was a social worker. Mark and Withers had both been part of the pub rock group Brewers Droop at different points in and around 1973. The band was initially known as the Café Racers. The name Dire Straits was coined by a musician flatmate of Withers, allegedly thought up while they were rehearsing in the kitchen of a friend, Simon Cowe, of Lindisfarne. In 1977, the group recorded a five-song demo tape which included their future hit single, “Sultans of Swing“, as well as “Water of Love“ and “Down to the Waterline“. After a performance at the Rock Garden in 1977, they took a demo tape to MCA in Soho but were turned down. They went to DJ Charlie Gillett presenter of Honky Tonk on BBC Radio London. The band simply wanted advice, but Gillett liked the music so much that he played “Sultans of Swing“ on his show. Two months later, Dire Straits signed a recording contract with the Vertigo division of Phonogram Inc. In October 1977, the band recorded demo tapes of “Southbound Again“, “In the Gallery“ and “Six Blade Knife“ for BBC Radio London; in November, demo tapes were made of “Setting Me Up“, “Eastbound Train“ and “Real Girl“. Dire Straits album was recorded at Basing Street studios in Notting Hill, London in February 1978, at a cost of £12,500. Produced by Muff Winwood, it was released in the UK on Vertigo Records, a division of Phonogram Inc. Dire Straits toured with Talking Heads, after “Sultans of Swing“ finally started to climb the UK charts. Source: Wikipedia Moser Farms in Montezuma County, Colorado since 2005 was founded by Robb and Vicki Moser. Art studio is located near McPhee Reservoir off the Dolores 184 Highway and Road 26.2 Loop. Visits onsite are available by appointment or contact online to get quote for your Art Project, Recycled Wood, Reclaimed Metal, Rustic Furniture, Ceramic Sculpture, and Graphic Design.